Compare and contrast in informational texts
Key Notes :
Authors often compare and contrast ideas, events, people or things.
To compare is to show how two things are alike. When authors compare, they often use signal words like in the same way, both or similarly.
To contrast is to show how two things are different. When authors contrast, they often use signal words like unlike , on the other hand or however.
Learn with an example
🔔 Use the text to compare and contrast a warrior and a soldier.
The words soldier and warrior are considered synonyms, but they have somewhat different meanings. Soldier usually describes someone who is paid to be part of an army. A soldier fights against another army in a war. A warrior also fights in a battle or a war. However, a warrior is usually not part of an army. The word warrior can be used to describe anyone who fights and has courage.
Look at the signal words and the surrounding details in the text.
The words soldier and warrior are considered synonyms, but they have somewhat different meanings. Soldier usually describes someone who is paid to be part of an army. A soldier fights against another army in a war. A warrior also fights in a battle or a war. However, a warrior is usually not part of an army. The word warrior can be used to describe anyone who fights and has courage.
These signal words help show the differences and similarities between a warrior and a soldier:
🔔 Use the text to compare and contrast a prairie and a plain.
Is a plain the same thing as a prairie? Many people confuse the two words. Plains are large, flat areas of land. A prairie is a type of plain, so it is also a large, flat stretch of land. The main difference is that a prairie is covered with grass, whereas a plain may have different kinds of plants. Prairies also have the prairie dog, which is a member of the squirrel family.
Look at the signal words and the surrounding details in the text.
Is a plain the same thing as a prairie? Many people confuse the two words. Plains are large, flat areas of land. A prairie is a type of plain, so it is also a large, flat stretch of land. The main difference is that a prairie is covered with grass, whereas a plain may have different kinds of plants. Prairies also have the prairie dog, which is a member of the squirrel family.
These signal words help show the differences and similarities between a prairie and a plain:
🔔 Use the text to compare and contrast a soldier and a warrior.
The words soldier and warrior are considered synonyms, but they have somewhat different meanings. Soldier usually describes someone who is paid to be part of an army. A soldier fights against another army in a war. A warrior also fights in a battle or a war. However, a warrior is usually not part of an army. The word warrior can be used to describe anyone who fights and has courage.
Look at the signal words and the surrounding details in the text.
The words soldier and warrior are considered synonyms, but they have somewhat different meanings. Soldier usually describes someone who is paid to be part of an army. A soldier fights against another army in a war. A warrior also fights in a battle or a war. However, a warrior is usually not part of an army. The word warrior can be used to describe anyone who fights and has courage.
These signal words help show the differences and similarities between a soldier and a warrior:
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